Personalized caller identification

Abstract

A user creates at least one personalized caller ID (PCID) for use with a particular telephone number. The user can then use the PCID (or, if more than one is available, select from among the different PCIDs) when making a phone call. The selected PCID is transmitted for display on a called telephone when the user places the phone call. The PCID may comprise at least one of text, a photo, a video clip or a multimedia presentation. In this manner, each user of a single telephone number can have different PCID data displayed to the called party.

1 . A method of personalizing caller ID (CID) information comprising: 
 storing data for at least one personalized CID (PCID) associated with a given telephone number;    allowing a user to select a particular PCID when placing a phone call; and    transmitting the data for the selected PCID when the user places the phone call.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCID data comprises text.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCID data comprises at least one of a photo, video clip, or multimedia presentation.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCID data is communicated by a calling telephone to a called telephone at the beginning of placing the phone call.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of PCIDs are associated with said given telephone number.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said data is stored in the user's telephone.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said data is stored by a telephone company.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said PCID provides the user's name.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said user places said call using the given telephone number on one of a land line telephone, cellular telephone, VoIP appliance, videophone, or television phone.  
   
   
       10 . A method of placing a telephone call comprising: 
 creating at least one personalized caller ID (PCID);    associating said at least one PCID with a given telephone number; 
 selecting a particular PCID for a given phone call originating from the given telephone number; and  
 placing the phone call via the given telephone number to a called party;  
   wherein the selected PCID is communicated with the phone call when the phone call is placed.    
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 at the called party, receiving and displaying the selected PCID.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the PCID comprises at least one of a photo, video clip, or multimedia presentation.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the PCID is communicated by a calling telephone to a called telephone at the beginning of placing the phone call.  
   
   
       14 . A telephone comprising a user interface for: 
 enabling a user to program a personalized caller ID (PCID); and    enabling said user to select said PCID for transmission to a called party when placing a telephone call from said telephone.    
   
   
       15 . A telephone in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said PCID comprises at least one of a text message, photo, video clip, or multimedia presentation.  
   
   
       16 . A telephone in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said PCID is stored in said telephone.  
   
   
       17 . A telephone in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said PCID is stored by a telephone company.  
   
   
       18 . A telephone in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said PCID provides the user's name.  
   
   
       19 . A telephone in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of users are able to program their own PCID for selection and transmission to a called party when placing a telephone call from said telephone.  
   
   
       20 . A telephone in accordance with  claim 14 , comprising one of a land line telephone, cellular telephone, VoIP appliance, videophone, or television phone.